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Contextos NFP

EIN 27-3326532 · Chicago, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONTEXTOS, AN EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT ESTABLISHED IN 2010 IN EL SALVADOR AND THE USA, INCREASES ACCESS TO QUALITY INSTRUCTION. WE TRANSFORM STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE SO THEY GO BEYOND MECHANICAL READING SKILLS TO DEVELOP TRUE LITERACY THAT INCORPORATES CRITICAL-ANALYTICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, CURIOSITY AND QUESTIONING. TO DO THIS, CONTEXTOS CREATES LIBRARIES, PROVIDES COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND IMPLEMENTS AN INNOVATIVE MODEL OF TEACHER TRAINING. WE BENEFIT ALL AGES OF STUDENTS, ENSURING THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED TO ENTER, THRIVE IN, AND ULTIMATELY COMPLETE SECONDARY SCHOOL.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 47%
Employees
20
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES, CONTEXTOS INCREASES ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION INSTRUCTION AND PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT DEVELOPS CRITICAL ANALYTICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, CURIOSITY, AND QUESTIONING. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: (1) SOY AUTOR INITIATIVE - STUDENTS LEARN TO READ AS WRITERS DO, AND PUBLISH THEIR OWN BOOKS AND DIGITAL MEMOIRS. THE PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE WRITING ABILITIES AND INCREASE INTEREST IN READING AND WRITING. (2) SOY LECTOR INITIATIVE - WE INSPIRE AND COACH TEACHERS TO INCORPORATE READING AND WRITING STRATEGIES THAT ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE, CRITICAL THINKING, AND EXPRESSION IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. (3) THE CHICAGO INITIATIVE - INMATES AND OTHER AT RISK YOUTH IN CHICAGO LEARN TO PUBLISH THEIR STORIES IN AN EFFORT TO INTERRUPT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.